Making My own "Book" iPad 2 Case

[MagnumOP]

I waited for nearly a year to get my iPad 2. It is sweet! Great piece of engineering. I love to use it with no case. But When I go to school with it, I really feel that it needs more protection. During the year long wait I did a ton of research on the coolest cases available. I LOVE the Portenzo cases. I thought to myself, "I could make something like that."

I will update the thread with pictures over the next couple weeks.

Materials (so far):
iLuv Flex-Gel Case for iPad2
Cardboard specifically designed for hardback books
Spray adhesive

I am in some serious need for a great material to cover the cardboard. I plan on making several cases. I will apply velcro (or something) so that the iLuv shell can be easily moved from case to case, thus cutting down on the need for multiple iLuv cases.


So here it goes...

 

[MagnumOP]

First photos

 

[Vulcan4770]

where did u get that cardboard? cost? i hollowed out a book for school also but i would like to make one how your doing it.

 

[MagnumOP]

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A local art supply store had it. For $10 I got four 15x20.5 sheets. The size was a little odd. I will only be able to make one case per sheet.

 

[MagnumOP]

I finished the first case. This is a rough draft to make sure I got all of the dimensions correct. The cloth I used is called Duck Cloth, I got it from the local fabric store. It feels like a slightly softer canvas.

I discovered that spray on glue is very temperamental, but I think it turned out ok. Next I will make a more polished case.

The case is still a little wet. i will have photos of this one all together later.

more to come.

 

[MagnumOP]

photos

 

[MagnumOP]

photos part dois

 

[samac92]

awesome, good luck

 

[txr0ckabilly]

photos

Dude, I use those same exact books for pressing flowers and making milk plastic.

Seriously, good luck on the case, DIY is always so much more rewarding.

 

[MagnumOP]

here is the finished "first draft."

It turned out ok. Most people can not tell it is homemade unless they look closely, but, then again, most people also don't pay attention to details.

Major issues: I should have used paper for the interior lining and not cloth, and the extra height from the velcro is too much.

Minor issues: the glue seeped through the cloth in a couple of places, I am the only one that notices but it drives me nuts. The spine wasn't quite thick enough.

I am currently finishing out a second draft that will be much refined...

 

[M-5]

Very neat and crafty. I'm looking forward to seeing your revised product.

I'm really interested in purchasing a case that has the book-like design like this, but I haven't seen many iPad 2 cases in the market yet. I'm considering the dodocases, but I'm still looking for more reviews of it or other products to be released before I make my purchase.

 

[MagnumOP]

Very neat and crafty. I'm looking forward to seeing your revised product.

I'm really interested in purchasing a case that has the book-like design like this, but I haven't seen many iPad 2 cases in the market yet. I'm considering the dodocases, but I'm still looking for more reviews of it or other products to be released before I make my purchase.

The new one is almost done. I am just trying to find something to line the inside.

 

[MagnumOP]

Here are the guts of my second attempt.

It turns out that the cardboard is precisely as thick as the velcro i was using. So, I cut out holes for the velcro, mounted the velcro to a cereal box, and then mounted the cereal box the the card board. It is a bizarre process but it gave the exact result I was looking for.

In this case I also mounted a magnet to provide the auto sleep/wake functionality. The magnet, once again, was the precise thickness of the card board. The steps from above were repeated. I scored the cereal box as shown because the side I glued was slick. Scoring it in this fashion gives the glue something to hold thus giving a stronger bond.

 

[BobbieM629]

This is so awesome!

 

[MagnumOP]

I also included an elastic strap. I do not have any industrial strength glue that I felt could properly secure the strap so I first sewed the two ends together. This should never come undone.

 

[MagnumOP]

here is the final design.

Garnet and Gold in honor of my noles' sweet 16 trip.

Excuse the messy screen.

 

[Cutwolf]

that looks awesome, man.

very inspirational, too. might have to try myself.

 

[phant0m]

Very nice! I'm impressed. I wouldn't have put velcro on the iPad itself but certainly an improvement from round 2. What's in store for the next revision?

Edit: Just noticed it's on a case. My bad.

 

[MattZani]

I have to say it really looks good, do you keep the gel case on all the time?

 

[Jemi9OD]

Awesome! Looks like a great job.!

 

[cloroxbleach4]

great lookin case!

 

[Apple OC]

nice job ... you have a right to be proud

 

[hcho3]

Not bad. Claps.

 

[MagnumOP]

I have to say it really looks good, do you keep the gel case on all the time?

I usually leave the gel case velcroed in. Around the house I like the iPad with no case, but out and about a case is a must.

 

[MagnumOP]

Thanks for all the compliments!